234: An ancient jade pendant, surprisingly, was the giant python's favorite.

Zhang Dada was extremely excited: "Since there's a formation left behind by someone, it means the tomb owner is likely buried here. Doesn't that mean we can find treasures today?"

"Shh!" Yang Mi warned, "It's too dangerous here, don't talk nonsense." She looked around, "This tomb chamber is eerie and terrifying; there might be other dangerous things inside."

Meng Ziyi shrunk her neck and whispered, "This isn't scientific. Shouldn't these ancient tombs have lost their effectiveness long ago?"

They continued forward. The tomb chamber was pitch black, one couldn't even see their own hand. Ye Bai took out a high-intensity flashlight and turned it on, instantly illuminating the surroundings. The reliefs on the tomb walls were exquisite and lifelike, a feast for the eyes.

The four of them walked down the steps when suddenly a huge black shadow blocked their path.

"Who's there?!" Meng Ziyi screamed in fright, nearly falling to the ground. Yang Mi supported her.

Ye Bai held the flashlight and investigated carefully, finally discovering that the black shadow was a giant python! The python was coiled up, its cold pupils staring straight at the four of them, making their skin crawl.

Ye Bai swallowed hard and said to the three, "Everyone be careful, we're in trouble now."

"Ah!" Yang Mi cried out, her face pale with terror.

Zhang Dada and Meng Ziyi were also scared witless, not knowing what to do. Yang Mi gripped their clothes tightly, her voice trembling, "Y-you guys should run. It's fine if I'm the only one who dies."

"Mi Mi, don't talk nonsense," Zhang Dada scolded.

"But this python is too terrifying, I'm scared..." Yang Mi's face was filled with fear and helplessness.

Ye Bai sighed and pulled Yang Mi to his side: "Don't be afraid, I'm here, it'll be fine." He turned to look at the giant python and said, "Friend, we mean no harm. We just want to borrow this path to leave."

The giant python flicked its tongue, seemingly weighing the truth of Ye Bai's words.

At that moment, Ye Bai suddenly heard a soft sound from his backpack. The sound was faint and lingering. A thought instantly surfaced in his mind—it was the Dragon Jade!

Ye Bai was overjoyed. He lifted his backpack and took out the jade pendant inside. The pendant was emitting a faint glow, and the lotus on it bloomed with an eerie red light.

Seeing this, the giant python suddenly let out a crazed roar.

Then, it suddenly charged at Ye Bai and the others. Yang Mi and the rest were stunned, their eyes widening in disbelief.

Zhang Dada couldn't help but curse, "Holy shit! It's actually attacking you! What did you do?"

Ye Bai calmly watched the pouncing python and said, "I didn't do anything."

The giant python hissed, showing a fierce expression as it lunged to bite Ye Bai's neck. Ye Bai dodged to the side and simultaneously threw the Dragon Jade into the python's mouth.

The jade pendant landed in the python's mouth and shattered instantly. A mysterious power rippled out, and the giant python wailed in pain, its massive body falling heavily onto the floor.

Ye Bai immediately crouched down to check the jade pendant; it was indeed broken. He felt a pang of regret. Although the jade pendant looked ordinary, it was quite valuable, and he had destroyed it.

He looked up, only to see Zhang Dada and Meng Ziyi frozen in place. Yang Mi was covering her mouth, looking as if she were about to cry.

Ye Bai frowned in confusion and asked, "What's wrong with you two?"

Zhang Dada said, "This python clearly wanted to kill us just now, so why did it suddenly collapse?"

Ye Bai was taken aback and looked down at the giant python.

The python was twitching incessantly, its scales shimmering with a faint blue light, its tail twisting and its body coiling. At this moment, it no longer had the strength to get up, and even breathing had become difficult.

Ye Bai suddenly realized and said with a smile, "Oh, I see. Its internal organs were injured by this jade pendant."

Meng Ziyi said in surprise, "A jade pendant can have such an effect?"

Ye Bai said, "Of course. A jade pendant is an ancient artifact, containing mysterious and powerful energy." He looked at Meng Ziyi, "Ziyi, your luck isn't bad. You've managed to get a bargain."

"Uh..." Meng Ziyi rubbed her nose and chuckled, "Hehe, I guess so."

They didn't notice that Yang Mi, standing to the side, was looking at the two of them with eyes full of envy, jealousy, and resentment.

This time, the jade pendant Ye Bai brought had saved their lives.

The origin of this jade pendant was far from simple. It was called the [Jade Lotus]. Legend has it that it's a relic of an Ancient Master, possessing immense power. However, the Jade Lotus only exists in legends, and its traces have long since vanished from the Secular World.

The material of the Jade Lotus was unique—hard yet warm. Upon contact, one could feel a warm current seeping from the jade pendant into the body, making one feel refreshed and dispelling all fatigue.

It was a rare and precious treasure.

No matter the era, Cultivators still craved such miraculous jade stones.

Ye Bai put the Jade Lotus away, intending to study it later.

By then, Yang Mi's emotions had stabilized slightly. She said, "So you're saying as long as one wears the Jade Lotus, they can avoid being troubled by Evil Spirits?"

"Theoretically, yes," Ye Bai said. "However, it's still better to wear this thing as little as possible."

"Mm." Yang Mi nodded and looked at Meng Ziyi. "Let Ziyi wear this... she's quite timid, so wearing it should make her feel much more comfortable."

Hearing this, Meng Ziyi's cheeks turned bright red, and she stammered in refusal, "T-this... this doesn't seem right."

Yang Mi smiled and persuaded her, "Ziyi, don't be so dramatic. Ye Bai and I are both girls, and since men and women should maintain their distance, it's more convenient for you to wear it with me. Besides, we found this together, so it's fitting for you to wear it."

Meng Ziyi was still a bit hesitant: "This..."

"Don't be so indecisive," Ye Bai said. "Since this jade pendant has recognized you as its master, you should be the one to keep it."

Meng Ziyi bit her lip and nodded, then solemnly handed the jade pendant to Yang Mi.

At this point, Zhang Dada started to grumble, saying, "The mechanisms here are so complex, there must be many things buried here. It's a pity we haven't found anything yet; it's like an empty tomb."

Ye Bai pondered, "Perhaps that box is the real clue."

Zhang Dada immediately flared up, "Are you crazy? What if it's something dangerous?"

"If it's a mechanism, it's definitely no ordinary one, otherwise it would have been triggered by the python outside long ago. I suspect the setup here is also to prevent Tomb Robbers from coming in to steal things."

Zhang Dada snorted and said, "Then tell me, what is that box used for?"

Ye Bai looked at the wooden chest and said, "Open it, and we'll find the answer inside."

Everyone approached the wooden chest and found that the latch was very secure. Yang Mi took out her Dagger and poked at the keyhole.